Sensitive Skin Makeup Tips

For thousands of years, men and women have used makeup and skin care to enhance their natural beauty or to transform their appearance to a more appealing one. Makeup and skin care for sensitive skin is in demand compared to a few years ago due to increasing irritating ingredients being added to enhance youthfulness and fight aging and acne. As a result of this growing demand, cosmetic and skin care companies have expanded their product lines. Unfortunately, to stay competitive, more products means new formulas which may include some harsh ingredients (chemical or natural) that may lead to sensitivity. Especially when they are used frequently. If you notice the makeup or skin care you use is irritating your skin, you may have sensitivity to certain ingredients.

Recommended Makeup for Sensitive Skin

Mineral Lipstick

Mineral Foundation

Hypoallergenic Mascara

It's
a challenge looking your best when you have sensitive skin. So what
should you use to minimize future problems and help you look and feel
better without the ramifications of side effects? These tips should
help you make a better choice instead of the very expensive trial and
error routine.
Makeup Basics Perfect for You

Choose a cosmetic style that feels comfortable for you. If you are a girl-next-door type, you may not want to apply makeup like a Hollywood starlet.

Apply makeup to compliment what clothes you wear and the occasion.

Buy brands that you trust will not have irritating ingredients, but are hypoallergenic makeup and made for sensitive skin.

Start with your moisturizer on clean skin, followed by eye makeup, then the face and cheeks.

Remember to clean your face at night with a gentle cleanser followed by a non-alcohol toner to close pores.

Skin care products with antioxidants and pure shea butter will not clog pores and are hypoallergenic.

Pressed vs Liquid vs Loose Mineral MakeupLoose minerals are very popular these days. There are mineral foundations that are very pure without added preservatives and other potentially irritating ingredients. And they can be used as concealer or powder foundation. The beauty benefits of loose mineral foundations are that they help minimize shine and cover better than liquid. The downside is that there is a learning curve involved, especially if you've never used them. Once you get the hang of it, it takes only a few minutes for a complete makeover. The right brush for application is a must.

A favorite is a finishing loose mineral powder made of cosmetic grade rice powder, called Rice Veil.Rice powder has been used by Asian women for centuries. It helps your makeup stay on longer, reduces oily build up and leaves your skin looking smoother by reducing fine lines.

Avoid Botanicals in Cosmetics and Skin Care

Most people think natural ingredients are good for you, and the more the better. This is a myth started by the natural product industry. Botanicals actually are medicine with potential side effects. A good web site to check side effects of botanicals and herbs is Medline Plus. You can look up any herb in their Drugs and Supplement section. Safe chemicals are a better choice. The non-profit consumer organization Environmental Working Group has a good web site called Skin Deep, to check the safety of products by brand and ingredient.Most cosmetics don't have an expiration date and therefore, people think they can last a very long time. This is not the case. Germs can build up in products.

You should wash cosmetic brushes regularly with soapy water.

Throw away most cosmetics within a year.

Clean cosmetic sponges and throw away when it looks worn.

Say No to Products with These Ingredients

Certain ingredients are more irritating than others. Here is a list of some.

Triclosan - antibacterial ingredient. May be listed as active or inactive ingredient.

Selecting the Best Makeup for Sensitive Skin

There is no reason to compromise health for beauty. For sensitive skin, it is more time consuming and challenging choosing what works for you. Always test a small amount of new makeup you're interested in. Apply it on the inside of your wrist and wait 24 - 48 hours for any reaction. If none appears, you're ok with that product. Once you find a brand that works for you, stick with it. But even within the same brand, always test any new product you are interested in. This way you'll end up with a complete line of products that work best for you, not to mention a beautiful, healthy and flawless appearance.